Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind week in the magical metropolis that is New York City! And this time, Iām not just waltzing around the Big Apple, I'm swirling right into its heart!
Itās funny how this blog journey began. I started #PinkTutuBlogNYC back in Derbyshire, just wanting to share my passion for pink tutus, ballet, and all things fashion with the world. Who would have thought it would lead me to the pulsating heart of New York? I truly believe in following your dreams, my lovelies! If a girl from a small village in the English countryside can dance her way to the Empire State Building, anything is possible.
This week has been a dream, and trust me, this isn't just the sugarplum fairy talking! I've been swirling through Broadway, shimmying through department stores, and dancing the night away in the glittering ballet studios of Manhattan. But hold your horses, lovelies, before we dive into all the pink and twirling, let's go back in time a littleā¦
Itās a chilly February morning and Iām trapped in the subway, navigating the rush hour madness. My trusty travel companion, my trusty pink tutu, flutters in the breeze of the metro as I shimmy my way past the other commuters. Let me tell you, thereās nothing like a pink tutu to add a dash of magic to a grey Monday morning in New York!
Speaking of magic, how amazing is the metro?! Such an efficient and glamorous way to zip around this city. No taxi traffic or confusing maps. Just a smooth ride into the heart of the action. And believe me, this week, thereās a whole lot of action!
The first stop on my itinerary was, of course, the New York City Ballet at the Lincoln Center. You know me, I just canāt resist a chance to be swept away by the graceful beauty of the worldās best ballerinas!
I felt a thrill, my dears, when the music swelled and the dancers twirled into action. It was the opening night of George Balanchine's Agon, and it was a performance worthy of all the cheers and curtain calls it received. Youāve never truly experienced ballet until youāve seen it under the iconic chandeliers of the New York City Ballet theatre!
Afterwards, a little indulgence, as is my custom in the Big Apple, was most definitely in order. So I headed over to Bergdorf Goodmanās, and spent a heavenly hour or so admiring the spring collections. You canāt resist a little window shopping, even on a cold February day. It just isn't a proper trip to New York City without a peek at the exquisite designer fashions on display in its most luxurious boutiques.
I had to try on a dress, just to experience the feeling. After all, a pink tutu loving girl needs a little luxury, right? A few minutes and a fitting room later, I emerged with my favourite find of the day - a pink, fluffy dress, the colour of cotton candy and a pair of the most fabulous feather-light ballet flats.
New York always knows how to spoil me, I canāt deny it! But my lovelies, itās important to know what makes a dress truly magical - Itās all about that graceful, twirling movement. You just have to feel that light, fluffy feeling! Like a ballerina swirling across the stage. Just perfect!
You may wonder what it is that brings a girl like me, living the #PinkTutuLife, all the way from Derbyshire to New York City. Why all the ballet? The shows? The shopping? And youād be right to wonder! I suppose, at the end of the day, Iām drawn to the magic and the elegance of it all. And let's face it, there's nowhere quite like the Big Apple to feel truly inspired.
Tuesday brought me a new experience: a dance class with the American Ballet Theatre in their brand new, beautiful studios. Let me tell you, dancing in such a vibrant and dynamic environment just feels magical.
We started with the classic barre exercises, which were quite challenging, even for someone as seasoned as I am. But nothing compares to the feeling of achieving a perfect arabesque. Let me tell you, there's nothing like feeling the muscles burn, and the endorphins pump as you dance like no one is watching! And in this incredible studio, everyone felt like a graceful ballerina.
Itās been said that New York never sleeps and after class, the streets came alive, radiating the energy that only this incredible city can muster. And I had a mission: I was off on a pilgrimage to see Shakespeare in the Park.
Let's face it, lovelies, sometimes the best things in life are free, and free theatre under the starry night sky in Central Park just hits the spot! But this is not your usual free park production. We're talking Shakespeare in its purest, most majestic form.
I canāt tell you much about the play I saw as my ballet class really did exhaust me! I do remember it was some sort of magical love story with fairies. As usual, Shakespeare took me to a world full of romance and drama. Oh, those poetic verses - it just blows me away!
Speaking of stories and verses, have you ever wondered why ballet appeals so much? Why do we love it so much? Why the magic, the mystery and those enchanting, almost impossibly long, leg stretches? Why do ballerinas glide effortlessly over the stage and captivate our hearts with each twirl? It's hard to explain, really, and each dancer feels the beauty in their own unique way. But itās a story that resonates across cultures, and inspires me more than any fashion boutique or ballet studio could ever dream to.
My favourite thing, however, is that every dance performance feels fresh, full of creativity and the promise of new dreams.
But wait, Iāve not even told you about my newest obsession, my lovelies. This week has brought a delightful discovery for this pink tutu-wearing girl! Remember my passion for all things dance?
Well, there's a whole new kind of dance in the Big Apple: It's Ballet Street! Think: street dance meets ballet. Thereās this energy, this passion, these dynamic moves and acrobatic feats, that create the most electrifying and inspiring show!
This fusion is just pure magic - taking the finesse and grace of ballet and fusing it with the raw power of street dancing. And with their daring outfits and captivating routines, it was so exhilarating! I even tried my best to move like them and learn a few steps! You know me, always striving for the best, even if that means getting out of my comfort zone!
The week has whizzed by. It feels like only a blink of an eye since I set foot in the city, and yet, already, Iām yearning to be back on that magical train back to Derbyshire. Itās a bit of a clichĆ© to say āNew York will always be New York,ā but let me tell you, that really does ring true!
The city feels alive, pulsing with creative energy. Everywhere I go, I find new inspiration to create, explore and, of course, wear even more pink tutus! You might see me whirling down a busy street or posing amongst a crowd, spreading that magical touch of ballet.
Iām already looking forward to my next adventures, and to seeing what magic I discover here next. I just hope there's room in my suitcase for the beautiful new pink tutu that I found at the local vintage store. I swear it was made for me, my lovelies, a beautiful, blush-toned tutu just calling my name!
So until next time, keep on twirling, keep on dreaming and keep on inspiring!
Lots of love,
Emma
xx
(www.pink-tutu.com)
(You can read Emma's past New York blogs at www.pink-tutu.com)
(Follow Emma's pink adventures on social media @EmmaPinkTutu)
